The most recent count by the American Trucking Association found around 14.33 million commercial trucks registered in the country. Those trucks are making millions of deliveries every day. That means you can’t avoid sharing the road with some kind of semi-truck every time you set out on a drive. The goal is to avoid getting into an accident with one of those rigs.
To prevent trucking accidents, drivers must be extra attentive and cautious when they see a semi-rig up ahead on the road or approaching in the rearview. Unfortunately, even with the extra precautions you take, you can’t control the actions of a truck driver driving negligently.
If you get into a collision with a big rig, you’ll want to speak with a truck accident attorney in Louisville, like the experienced team at McCoy & Hiestand, PLC. We have helped many clients take on the challenges of holding truck drivers and their employers accountable. The first order of business is to dive into the cause of the accident. That will help determine who is liable and who we should pursue for compensation.
Common Types of Truck Driver Negligence
When a truck gets into an accident, it will be investigated by federal regulators from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Their findings will be put into an official crash report, which could be included in your eventual claim. Here are some of the common causes of truck accidents that FMCSA and the police might determine:
Lack of Proper Training
Driving a big rig is not as simple as a passenger vehicle. To obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), a prospective driver must go through 160 hours of classroom and driving time. If a truck driver doesn’t have the proper training, they could be held liable by the trucking company who hired them.
Distracted Driving
Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that at least nine people died in accidents involving a distracted driver every day in the U.S.. There were another 424,000 injured in distracted driving crashes. A truck driver is guilty of being distracted from texts, cell calls, eating, drinking, and smoking.
Aggressive Driving
Following too closely, speeding, and changing lanes unsafely are all types of aggressive driving that can lead to accidents. It only takes a slight tap from a distracted truck driver to careen a car into a guardrail or other vehicles.
Driving Fatigued
The FMCSA mandates hours of service for truck drivers, limiting how long they can stay on the road during a shift. When a driver pushes those limits, they could drive fatigued, leading to impaired judgment and lack of control.
Alcohol and Drug Use
If a car driver is found to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08%, they are considered legally intoxicated. For a truck driver, that BAC number is .04%. A BAC can be determined immediately after an accident if the police suspect there is an issue. It can also be a clear indication of liability.
Working with an Attorney for Compensation
Accidents involving commercial trucks and passenger vehicles can be catastrophic and involve multiple liable parties. A truck company’s hiring practices and pressure on its drivers could be a contributing factor to the accident. There could also be an issue with the crew who loaded the truck or repaired the rig.
If you or someone you know has been injured due to a truck driver’s negligence, contact us today. Our attorneys at McCoy & Hiestand, PLC, have over 50 years of combined personal injury experience and are ready to fight for you.
Remember, our truck accident attorneys work on a contingency basis, so we don’t get paid until you do.
